This growth is leading to a commensurate increase in demand for Halaal products in this country and puts a focus on the ever-growing buying power of Africa's 400 million Muslim consumers.
As recognition of this market force, the organisers of Africa's unique Food, Retail and FMCG showcase, Africa's Big Seven (AB7) have included in their 2007 expo line-up a new co-located event Halaal World.
This platform has been created to provide manufacturers, exporters, importers and wholesalers with the opportunity to identify themselves as certified suppliers.
This message will be underlined by the organiser's strategic alliance with one of the country's premier Halaal Certifying Authorities in the presentation of the 2nd South African International Halaal Conference. Expert speakers have been invited from the USA, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and Asia to share their knowledge of topics such as certification programmes and their benefits, import regulations, challenges and rewards in the Halaal world as well as much more.
The conference is themed Halaal - Opportunities beyond Boundaries.
Africa's Big Seven is an annual event and the only one of its kind on the continent.
With the international business community waking up to the fact that economic growth on the continent is turning Africa's millions of previously ignored consumers into a very viable market force, AB7 has seen healthy growth in the last few years of its 10-year existence. This "trade only" expo currently attracts over 7,000 qualified buyers from 35 countries. The buyers view it as a continental clearing-house where fresh and processed foods are displayed for export, specialty foods and beverages are marketed to Africa's importers, wholesalers and retailers and manufacturing, processing and packaging technologies are traded internationally.
Apart from the emphasis on Halaal for 2007, this year's event also features:
* India as partner nation - as the world's leading supplier of food processing equipment India has much to offer Africa;
* The Malaysia - Africa Palm Oil Trade Fair & Seminar arranged by Malaysia's Palm Oil Promotion Council;
* Conferences and Workshops on Meat Management in Africa;
* Conferences and briefings on Agribusiness opportunities in Africa;
* Home Meal Replacement Workshops. Changing lifestyles of Africa's growing affluent middle classes have changed eating patterns and many now buy in ready-made meals.
The event is from Sunday July 15 to Tuesday July 17 at Gallagher Estate, which is located in Midrand. For further information contact admin@exhibitionsafrica.com.
